Bond named in Canterbury line-up

The contractual dispute between Shane Bond and New Zealand Cricket took another twist yesterday when Bond was included in the Canterbury squad for the Twenty20 domestic cricket series starting on Friday night.

Canterbury coach Dave Nosworthy said he was treating Bond's inclusion purely on a cricketing basis. He was advised by NZC's sports science medical co-ordinator, Warren Frost, that if Bond came through club cricket last Saturday satisfactorily, he could be picked.

Bond bowled eight overs for his club team, Old Boys-Collegians, taking none for 19, made 45 with the bat and showed no signs of discomfort from the abdominal muscle tear that forced him home during the first test against South Africa in mid-November.

"Shane has been passed fit and we want him to play. He is, of course, a welcome addition to our squad," said Nosworthy yesterday.

Nosworthy said he was aware of all the speculation swirling about Bond and his future, but expected him to be at training this week with the 14-man squad ahead of the Wizards' first match against Central Districts at QE II's Village Green.

NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said discussions between Bond and NZC were ongoing, and neither party would comment, although some resolution is expected this week.

It is believed Bond wants to fulfil his NZC contract obligations to the end of May and be available for the tours at home and away against England.

But signing a lucrative contract for the ICL puts Bond in conflict with the establishment International Cricket Council and the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is staging a counter Twenty20 series, the Indian Premier League, which has the ICC's approval.

Vaughan has said the NZC would be discouraging players with ICL contracts from being picked for the Black Caps, but whether Bond can be legally prevented from playing appears at the heart of the matter.

Bond is joined by fellow Black Cap Peter Fulton, back in the provincial squad after test duties, and Carl Frauenstein has also been included.

The only player omitted from the State Shield side which beat Wellington on Sunday is New Zealand under-19 player Corey Anderson. Nosworthy said playing for Canterbury A at the national tournament would be better preparation for the World Cup youth event next month.

Source : http://www.stuff.co.nz/